Fishing rod holder

ABSTRACT

A fishing rod holding apparatus that can be mounted alone or in series to a vessel such as a boat, wherein the assembly includes a mounting base, a channel for receiving and attaching one or more fishing rod holding assemblies. Each rod-holding assembly comprises a fishing rod holding tube and a spring biased pivoting assembly. The pivoting assembly allows the angle of the fishing rod holder to be adjusted manually by depressing a button while simultaneously repositioning the rod holder. Once the desired angle is achieved, the assembly locks in position by simply releasing the button.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the priority of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/329,954, filed Oct. 17, 2001.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to a fishing rod holder. More specifically, the present invention relates to a boat mounted fishing rod holder that is manually adjustable to obtain a variety of rod angles and positions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] There are many variations of fishing rod holders known in the art. These holders are generally used to hold a fishing rod and reel in a position allowing the fishing rod to be used without the need for the angler to hold it. Very often these holders are mounted to or near the stern of a boat for use during trolling operations. Additionally, anglers often do not care to hold the rod in their hands while fishing, even if the boat is not in motion, thereby allowing them to perform other tasks.

[0004] Several fishing rod holders have been developed that allow for the mounting of multiple fishing rods. U.S. Pat. No. 4,485,559 issued to Hawie, discloses a multi-rod holder mounted within a conventional rod holder already embodied on a boat. In this invention, the rods are maintained in an upright position, but there is no means for adjusting the position or angle of the fishing rods.

[0005] To the extent that there are a variety of adjustable fishing rod holders previously taught, the known prior art rod holders are difficult to manipulate and often times require tools to adjust their positions. One such type of cumbersome fishing rod holder requires a set screw for adjusting the preferred angle. These employ a screw or knob type fastener that, when tightened, frictionally maintains the holder at the desired position, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. 5,438,789 to Emory. To adjust the angle of the rod holder, a screwdriver or the like is required to loosen and tighten the set screw which may require the removal of a fishing rod from the holder. Other prior art uses a screw with a knob that can be turned by hand but often, with continued use, the knob wears and frequently breaks.

[0006] The need arose for a fishing rod holder that can be mounted alone or in a series, that allows for the angular adjustment without the need to turn a set screw. Insofar as known, there is no fishing rod holder that is relatively simple in construction that allows the angler to change the attitude of the fishing rod holder simply by depressing a button on the side of the holder, while at the same time locking the desired position as soon as the button is released, allowing the fishing rod holder to be selectively positioned at a range of increments between horizontal and vertical positions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] It is an object of the present invention to provide a fishing rod holder for mounting to a boat that is easy to adjust and economic to manufacture.

[0008] A further object of the present invention is to provide a mountable fishing rod holder to be used alone or in series that can be positioned in a variety of angles and subsequently locked to maintain desired position.

[0009] A more specific object of the present invention is to provide a fishing rod holder wherein the angle of the rod holder can be adjusted without turning a set screw or using separate tools.

[0010] A more specific object of the present invention is to provide a fishing rod holder wherein the position of the rod can be adjusted by depressing a spring activated button on the side of the rod holder.

[0011] A further object of the present invention is to provide a fishing rod holder that once adjusted to the desired angle by the user, it can be locked in position by simply releasing the button.

[0012] Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0014]FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the fishing rod holding tube and the integrated hub.

[0015]FIG. 2(a) is a side view of the mounting base.

[0016]FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the mounting base.

[0017]FIG. 3(a) is a partial top view of the mounting base.

[0018]FIG. 3 shows a cross sectional side view of the mounting channel.

[0019]FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the spring biased pivot element in the deactuated position.

[0020]FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional side view and an end view of the locking element.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0021] The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses.

[0022] The improved fishing rod holder 10 is comprised of a fishing rod holding tube 12, a base 14, and a pivoting center 16 for adjusting the desired angle of the rod holder 10. The angle of the rod holder can be adjusted through an entire one hundred eighty degree range as desired by the user. The handle of the fishing rod is received within bore 11 of the holding tube 12. The base 14 includes a plate 15 with integral sides 25 and 26 that are received in a mounting track 18. The mounting track is of a general C-shape in cross section and has integral first and second sides 27 and 28, and integral first and second lips 29 and 30 within which sides 25 and 26 of the base plate 15 are received. The track can be affixed to a variety of surfaces such as the transom of a boat by a plurality of screws or bolts, and is capable or receiving multiple rod holders 10 simultaneously.

[0023] The pivoting center 16 is comprised of a one-way moveable connection which allows the user to manually position the fishing rod holding tube 12, from a complete horizontal position through an entire vertical arc, to a complete horizontal position in the opposite direction. The desired angle of the fishing rod holding tube 12 is obtained by merely grasping the holding tube while simultaneously actuating a spring release button 20 positioned on the pivoting center 16. When the button 20 is deactuated by the fisherman, the current angle of the fishing rod holding tube 12 will be maintained until further adjustment by the fisherman is desired, by actuating the spring release button 20.

[0024] The base plate 15 contains dual threaded holes 22 opposite the sides 25 and 26 for receiving set screws or bolts to frictionally hold the base plate 16 and respective fishing rod holder 10 in the desired location along the mounting track 18.

[0025] Integrated into the top of the base 12 is an offset vertical flange 34 of a general disk shape perpendicular to the base plate 15 forming the stationary portion of the pivoting center 16. The vertical flange 34 defines a general bore 38 and an integrated axle 40 with aperture 36 upon which corresponding hub 35, integrated into the fishing rod holding tube 12 is pivotally mounted. The integrated axle has a first portion 41 of a generally square shape extending to the contact plane 42 of vertical flange 34.

[0026] The hub 35, integrated in the fishing rod holding tube 12, contains a central aperture 44 and a series of spokes 46 defining a plurality of angle adjusting apertures 47 surrounding the central aperture 44. The integrated axle 40 of the vertical flange 34 is received by the central aperture 44 for pivotal attachment thereto.

[0027] Integrated within the pivoting center 16 is a locking element 50 with planar surface 51 and a generally square aperture 52 extending therethrough for receiving the first portion 41 of the axle 40. Surface 51 further comprises a plurality of locking beads 54 corresponding to the angle adjusting apertures 47 of hub 35. In the deactuated position of the pivoting center 16, a spring 60 is positioned within the bore 38 for biasing the locking element 50 outwards towards the hub 35, thereby engaging the locking beads 54 with the angle adjusting apertures 47.

[0028] A release element 70 is further implemented in the pivoting center 16 for forcing locking beads 54 out of apertures 47 to allow adjustment of the hub 35, and the corresponding fishing rod holding tube 12. The release element 70 comprises a series of corresponding fingers 72 that are received in apertures 47 of the hub from the opposite side of the locking beads 54. The release element 70 is actuated by the user by depressing the spring release button 20. In doing so, the spring release button 20 pushes the release element fingers 72 further through the apertures 47 of hub 35, in turn forcing the locking beads 54 of the locking element 50 out of apertures 47 and compressing spring 60 against the vertical flange 34 within bore 38. At this point the user can manually pivot the hub 35 and corresponding fishing rod holding tube 12 by grasping the holding tube 12 and repositioning it to the desired position. Once the desired position is obtained, the user simply releases the spring release button 20 which is deactuated by the compressed spring 60, allowing the locking beads 54 to once again be forced into the apertures 47 locking the new desired position of the fishing rod holding tube 12.

[0029] The description of the invention is merely exemplary in nature and, thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of the invention are intended to be within the scope of the invention. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A fishing rod holding apparatus, comprising: a C-shaped channel to be mounted to a vessel; one or more fishing rod holding assemblies, each having: a fishing rod holding tube with an open end to receive a fishing rod; a spring biased pivoting assembly; a base to be slidably inserted within said C-shaped channel.
 2. The fishing rod holding apparatus of claim 1, wherein said base comprises a base plate having two mounting flanges to secure said rod holding apparatus in said channel.
 3. The fishing rod holding apparatus of claim 2, wherein each of said mounting flanges of said base plate have a threaded aperture therethrough for receiving set screws.
 4. The fishing rod holding apparatus of claim 1, wherein said spring biased pivoting assembly comprises: a locking element; a releasing element; a stationary flange integrated in said base; a hub element integrated with said fishing rod holding tube; a spring; a spring release button.
 5. The fishing rod holding apparatus of claim 4 wherein when said spring release button is depressed, said spring biases said release element, disengaging said release element from said locking element, allowing said hub element and integrated fishing rod holding tube to be manually pivoted. 